Rightly Dividing
Is the instruction in 2 Timothy 2:15 a mandate for us to categorize and classify the word of God? Does this admonition actually grant us authority to make determinations on the value of certain portions of God’s word? How can we possibly determine and assign primary and secondary levels to His word? We rightly divide when we clearly understand His word, not when we judge its value.
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. “
(Matthew 4:4 KJV)
Can we at least agree that the term “every” in the above verse means all without exception? It may be that we can survive with less but clearly we cannot live without every word that proceeds from God. Why then accept less? Are we not also to teach all things whatsoever Christ commands?
So what if we have studied and are confident in our understanding of God’s word? Does this fact grant us license to fight those we judge in error for whatever reason whether by intent for subversion or by mistake through misunderstanding?
The next several verses of 2 Timothy 2 clearly teach that once fruitful discussion is no longer possible we should avoid any further communication as it leads to ungodliness. Even though their word might increase we need not fear. The foundation of God stands and He knows those who are His.
If we claim to be Christian then, according to verse 19, we should abstain from the wickedness of a fruitless argument. If you’re wondering how you might identify a fruitless argument I suggest you look to see if it is leading to or provoking love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. If not then step aside. We cannot rightly divide the word of truth for another and there is no way to rightly divide the body of Christ.
offered by Kc | 10/09/2008 04:11:00 AM
17 Comments:
Regarding 2 Timothy 2:15, if we're prioritizing scripture, I think it's worth noting that the first words I see, after "Holy Bible," are my name printed down in the corner, IN GOLD. I can only assume that this is God's sign to us that these are the most important words in scripture.
Dorsey E. Marshall III
Obviously, I'm joking, but I confess that I sometimes live my life as if that were true.
Good post, KC. I still think you have me in mind, but it just might be the effects of those {silver in mycase} letters on my Bible. It's a good thing to think about and apply a hard teaching to oneself, no? :)
It seems that 2 Timothy 2:15 says to make sure to present YOURSLF to GOD as one approved. It seems a personal responsibility to work out my own salvation, be ready to answer for it, and yet not be compelled to conform others to the same.
Dorse I’m getting concerned. Mine says, “with concordance”! ;-)
Still I know I do too.
Missy I PROMISE I didn’t have you in mind! (LOL) Seriously I think we all want to correct everyone else’s understanding. That way we never need question our own.
I agree that these verses highlight the personal responsibility we each have and I agree we’re not to impose our beliefs on anyone. At the same time I know that we’re all seeking sameness and that none of us will be content until all of us conform to Christ our Savior. Until that day we should love each other enough to encourage and, when possible, aid each other in reaching that goal but never give one another occasion to stumble.
I know you didn't have Missy in mind. You had ME in mind.
I descern these things.
Joe ya caught me!
Great to see you posting and making the rounds brother. ;-)
Good word.
I think I know your secret of zeroing in on the heart of so many of us brother... You cut the Scriptures straight, am I wrong?
Thanks for your recent visit and kind words. I am glad to be back.
Preacher Gordon thanks so much for the affirmation dear brother. ;-)
Preacher John it’s great to see you out and about! You and your dear wife have been such a great blessing to me over the past few years. I really appreciate your encouraging words here. I have to admit I’d say the same about you! ;-)
Loved this!! I especially stand on
I Timothy 6:20 – O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (21) Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
I have found vain babblings to be totally unproductive and very hurtful.
Susan
PT,
Which Bible interprets "knowledge" as "science?" I've searched through 11 translations and can't find it.
Regarding vain babblings: vanity, by definition, is focused on self, therefore useless.
Ms. Susan thanks!
Congrats on your 50th as well! I loved the photo’s ;-)
Dorse that’s really driving home a point! That’ll show those KJV onlyer’s! (hehe)
Excellent point on vanity Bro.
KC,
I know this may be a little off topic, but I felt compelled to share this with as many as are willing to see with opened eyes and hear with opened ears. Feel free to leave a comment on my blog. Here it is:
I wanted to share this Scripture with you from the Old Testament. I believe that it speaks to us in a prophetic way.
1 Samuel 8 - 1When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice. 4Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." 6But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them." 10So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking for a king from him. 11He said, "These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." 21And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD. 22And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey their voice and make them a king." Samuel then said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."
Chapter 9 - 1There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
I pray that your may be open that you can see what the Lord is saying, and that your ears may be opened that you can hear what the Lord is saying.
KC, this is a great article. I especially appreciate the last paragraph. We should be uplifting and encouraging each other and learning to recognize when an argument is not going anywhere. Blessings.
Hello Bro KC
No time for comment other than I agree with your follow ups and Dorsey of course. I wanted to just say hi and hope everything is well in LA
Love Kris
Kris, you may have inspired another point of Dorsism with your assumptive support.
"Come, all who are thirsty, for whoever drinks the Kool-aid I give him will never thirst again."
KC,
You are so right as usual. :~)
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